Deepest Wishes
Chapter One
Summery: Harry together with Ron, Hermione and Ginny give their helping hand to the order. A month after Dumbledore's burial, it's supposed to be an easy task. But with the arrival of Voldemort, things turn wrong and changes the life for everyone.
A/N: Edited the first chapter, mostly changed parts of the text into better pieces. A few new words here and there, this was my first ever posted chapter here. Took sometime for me to get used to the site, even longer time to edit. Hope someone will find it interesting, tell me what you think.
A double decked bus made a light swishing sound as it passed over the London Bridge. If someone would have been standing there listening, the only sounds except this particular bus would have been the heavy rain.
It's been pouring down for two full days and the clouds were getting gloomier for each hour. Everyone knew something was wrong with this weather, of course the londoners were accustomed to the weather man had promised two full weeks of sunshine and heat records far above regular standards.
Then it seemed that from no-where, dark clouds gathered above the capital, beginning to spill their wetness over the unsuspected inhabitants.
Most people would have done as usual, blamed it on the global warming. Then of course posted a few angry letters to politicians, craving for harder rules against pollution.
These people were of course the vast majority of the people living on the British Islands, but only a fraction of the population knew the real reason for the instant changes to the weather.
High above the ground, up there in the gloomy clouds this much smaller fraction could have noticed dark figures hovering, trying to suck the happiness from any un-prepared man or woman. Unfortunately, most of these unique people did their best to ignore the last month's happenings.
Bad weather, wasn't of course a disaster and were easily explained to the unknowing majority of the people. Often called muggle's, a term stated by a hidden community within the known state of the islands. A community ruled and controlled by witches and wizards, people with the profound ability to use magic.
Hidden amongst the so called muggle's for hundreds of years without their knowledge, they had a totally different view of things.
Like the so called terrorist-bombing a few weeks ago, at Victoria Station. At first the gossip were, dark figures had appeared and things just exploded around them. Then suddenly the eye-witnesses lost those memories and changed their stories into something more fitting. For the evening post purpose at least.
Or last month when several natural disasters struck the country, in ways that never happened in the record of history. An earthquake had nearly broken Manchester to pieces while an tornado had ripped trough southern Wales, destroying everything in it's path.
Around the country side, hundreds of houses had been struck by unpredicted thunderstorms and burnt to the ground without a chance of saving.
In the eyes of most wizards and witches, these were horrible and malicious attacks. Done by the many dark-clad followers of the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or as he called himself. Lord Voldemort. One of the greatest wizards in a hundred years, a wizard who took the path of greed and power, with a never ending need of domination above others.
His Death Eater's had scared the whole community into hiding, not daring to oppose the will of the Dark Lord. But at this, there is a correction to be done, even if the community had gone into hiding and the so called Ministry of Magic did their best efforts to uphold some kind of peace. There were a few who opposed the Dark Lord and were doing everything in their power to stop him.
Order of the phoenix, a collection of wizards and witches working against the forces of Lord Voldemort. Founded decades ago, in the last war against the Dark Lord by the late Albus Dumbledore. Most of the original group had past on, some by natural causes but most of them lost their lives before the end of the war. When a one year old boy, turned the tide and made the dark lord disappear miraculously.
About a decade later, the same founder had reasons to again, collect wizards and witches. When Voldemort again appeared out of nowhere. After that, many things had happened.
Working without the support from the ministry of magic, the newly reformed group resembled mostly out of the surviving members from the original one. About a dozen in total. Upon today, they had several losses including their founder Albus Dumbledore. Who had been slain by someone they thought of as an ally, just a month ago. At the moment, the group as force were crumbling. No leader to show the way and hold them together. The result were clear, without means to fight the Death Eater's, they turned defensive and went into hiding to protect their own families.
Unfortunately for some of them, their families had a much younger generation. Who were much more hot-blooded and couldn't just sit down and watch their friends get hurt around them.
' Harry ' whispered a witch, hunched down in the dark shadow of the nearest house. Her red hair hang damp down onto her clothes as the rain continued to pour down. They were scanning the bridge with the precision of an eagle at that moment.
' Ssh Gin ' a male's voice answered beside her. It belonged to a dark-haired teenage boy, standing with his green eyes fixated through his glasses on the riverbank. If it wasn't for the rain, his widely known trademark would have been clearly visible. But the rain made his hair lay down, nearly covering his lightning-shaped scar completely.
' Quarter to midnight, they're late ' the boy stated after catching a glance towards his wrist-watch. The younger girl stood up behind him, catching his hand as her face scrambled in anxiety.
' Don't worry ' were the answer to her touch, but instead of meeting her eyes, he looked cross the road as a cab passed by. Spraying a small cloud of water upon them. In the dark shade, hunched on the stair leading upon the bridge he could outline his friends in the rainy night.
Even though he forced his best mate to cover up his head. There were still signs of his flaming read hair. The second later, he saw his friend snap somewhat angrily to the figure behind him. He couldn't see her, but he knew that well hidden form belonged to his other friend. The girl in their original and famous trio. Hermione Granger, of course she had taken his wish to camouflage themselves to her heart. Something meant for Ron and Ginny, but neither of them followed it through.
He turned away from his two friends, obviously bickering as usual and continued looking for any sign with a growing anxiety.
He knew something had gone wrong, while trying to hide it from his girlfriend who held on to his hand with all her might. He knew she were worried, they were supposed to be the backup if something went wrong. In these days, everything seemed to go wrong and plan-B were used to often for his taste.
The task tonight were easy, two of the members from the order were supposed to pick up something of greater importance. He supposed it were some item, but hadn't gone any further in his thoughts. It was just by sheer luck, that they were the only one's left in combative shape.
Otherwise they would all be locked inside the burrow, under Molly Weasley's guarding eyes. As they had been since the return from their school, Hogwarts.
It was first after a very long meeting of the order, which he himself had fought hard for their right to help. And along with the others, convincing Molly that this were an easy and rather safe mission. He had to promise her, in front of everybody that he would bring everybody home, safe and sound.
To help him, her husband, Arthur had volunteered to go on the mission along with the werwolf and former professor, Remus Lupin.
Both were supposed to show up several minutes ago, his free hand already had his wand in a tight grip.
Another double-decked bus passed them, it's engine noise enough to deafen their hearing for a few seconds. It was just at that moment, he could hear the sounds of rapidly moving feet. He glanced as fast as he could towards Ron and Hermione on the other side of the road. They heard it too, and had their wands at ready.
He took out his own and happened to look straight into the eyes of Ginny Weasley. Who had her wand out in her free hand. While still holding on hard to him with her other hand.
' Don't do anything stupid! ' she told him with a cold glare before tip-toeing high enough to give him a chaste-kiss. He knew that tone, all the people around him had tendencies to use it much to often for his liking.
' Love you ' he answered, in the same moment as they could hear someone yell.
' Avada Kedavra ' His head wiped around, noticing two people running for their life across the bridge. Behind them, there were five other figures trailing them. One of the dark hooded figures just missed, what appeared to be Arthur. By a few foot with her unforgivable course as the green flash struck the paving of the bridge. Both the tall figure, supposedly Arthur and Remus tried to defend themselves while rapidly closing in too the four teenagers.
Harry judged the distance with a painful expression, they had been firmly been told. To let them pass the bridge, but hiding in the shadows while seeing the to men being hunted down were hard. He already felt Ginny tug upon his arm and had to held her back.
' Just a few more seconds ' He told her in a voice, that gave away his worry about the plan too. They waited for another ten seconds before. The one thing that wasn't supposed to happen, did. It was like slow-motion when he saw the fastest running Death Eater hit Arthur in the leg with one if his hexes. He could see the pain-filled face as the man crashed into the pavement. Before Remus even noticed the air filled with a loud yell and Harry felt his heart sink. When Ginny ripped her hand out of his grip.
' DAD ' she and Ron yelled simultaneous and leapt out of their hideouts and begun sprinting towards their fallen father. Harry cursed loudly, before running yelling loudly.
' Stupefy ' a red flash erupting from his wand, Hermione reached his side, her bushy brown hair flowing behind here as she send a stinging jinx towards the Death Eater's. He noticed that Remus had already stopped and were trying to deflect any spells against Arthur, before even Ginny or Ron had made it to them.
The death eaters changed from pursuit to combat formation as they focused on their spells while slowly closing the gap towards Arthur.
Who did his best to stun the hooded figures as they closed in to him, easily deflecting his spells.
' Impedimenta ' yelled Ginny as she passed Remus towards her father. Hitting one of the death-eaters right in the chest and throwing him into the ground. Thus making the others to slow their pace, nearly stopping while taking a first look at the reinforcement. It took a few seconds, while they just dodged the incoming spells before Ginny and Ron had reached their father and dragged him away.
' It's just the kids ' roared one of the hooded figures, clearly a man as he begun to pace forward. Aiming carefully on the three Weasley's trying to escape him.
' Expelliarmus ' The man hadn't notice Harry getting close enough to hit him and watched in anger as his wand flew out of his hand. Meeting his eyes, he could have sworn that the man got a wicked expression and got the answer seconds later.
' It's Potter ' the other three stood by the mans side, one handling over his wand as the other two deflected both orange, yellow and red flashes sent towards them by Hermione and Lupin.
' I tell him ' answered a female voice from under the hood of the figure, Ginny previously stunned in the chest. With a loud crack, she apperated from the place. The moment later the other four made their way towards them. He glanced to his sides, Hermione and Lupin on each side of him. Ginny and Ron were near the end of the bridge, still dragging their dad as far they could from the fight.
' We need to get out of here, before HE gets here ' said Lupin, his voice clearly winded, before deflecting an incoming stunner back. Then beginning to back towards the Weasley's.
Hermione dove into the ground, unsuccessful escaping a cutting charm as it sliced her upper arm open, resulting in a loud cry of pain. Before she could react, Harry had dragged her back upon her feet and pushed her behind him. Protecting her with his own body, while wielding his wand as fast as he could. Yelling repeatedly
' Petrificus Totalus '
' Expelliarmus '
' Stupefy '
Sending out enough spells towards the death-eathers to keep them from getting closer.
He glanced around, noticing that the others already had withdrawn back of the bridge. Hermione being the last as she tried to stop her deep wound from bleeding all over the place. He had a hundred foot before he were behind the non-appareation-point. If he didn't make it fast enough, he would risk being captured by Voldermort.
' Harry, Hurry up ' yelled a much familiar voice, dripping with worry as Ginny met his eyes. She had his father dropped down upon the prepaid transfer point. With Ron and Lupin protecting him trying to send counter-spells from the far distance.
It felt like everything had stopped moving. He stared into her brown eyes, slightly hidden behind her wet-red hair. Slowly, he could hear the hissing sounds coming from the Death Eater's spells as they rained down upon hem.
' Get out of here ' he said not higher then a whisper but Ginnys eyes widened as she understood what he was doing. Then he turned around, just in time to cast two protego shielding charms to protect himself. Judging the distance to about twenty feet he began backing towards the others while deflecting as many charms he could without throwing himself to the ground.
He heard Ron yelling behind him, but the words wasn't supposed for his ears and he could feel his stomach turn over before he knew what's happened.
' Ginny, come back here! ' He bit his lip when he heard light racing footsteps echoing against the wet pavement. Three yellow flashes passed him and were too easily blocked by their enemies.
Next moment he felt his most loved girlfriend's hand circling around his arm and begun dragging him backwards.
' Hurry up ' she snapped angrily at him, just a second before he missed to deflect a incoming stunning spell that caught them both. He felt his breath disappear from his lungs. Ginny lost her grip on him and were thrown into the ground a few feet away. There were an evil laugh when one of the female Death Eater's snatched Ginny's wand from the ground, just to snap it before their eyes.
He saw her outstretched hand and tried to reach it, when his head suddenly filled with pain making him double over and fall to his knee's.
' HARRY ' he could hear their scream, but couldn't do anything about it as he clutched his forehead hard. Then the pain lessened when he heard an ear-deafening crack just beside him.
All the noises seemed to disappear, there were no yelling of spells. Not even the sound of rain hitting the ground any more. He looked up, still with the enormous pain ripping though his head. There were only one thing that's mattered at the moment, he had to find and get Ginny out of there. His most dreaded feelings started to invade his body, when she were gone from her previous spot.
Glancing around, he noticed her feet in front of him. With another set of robes standing just behind her.
He stood up as calm as he could, without looking away from her and her capturer. Her jeans and jacket were drenched from waiting in the rain for so long. The usually so beautiful red hair were messier then he had ever seen. The lip were bursted and bloody. Her eyes were filled with fear as he stared along the wand that pressed into her throat. It could have been any dark hooded Death Eater, if it wasn't for the ghostly face and red eyes.
' Running around late, aren't we ' the dark lord mocked him calmly. While threatening his most treasured, girlfriend. He tried to glare daggers towards the evil man, only answered with a short laugh.
' Harry ' Ginny mumbled weakly, effectively silencing the laughing and instead making the dark lord go wide-eyed.
' Oh ' a wicked grin spread to the dark lords face, before glancing backwards to his followers.
' I guess we found something interesting this time ' the red eyes went down to Ginny, clearly judging her from toe to head. He tightened his grip upon the girl's arm, making her wince.
' She's yours, If I'm not mistaken ' He couldn't bring himself to answer, afraid to hurt her. He knew, that having a relation would risk Ginny's life. He had explained it at least a dozen time's, but she ignored it stubbornly.
' Ginny ' Arthur's voice were heard at the end of the bridge. Harry couldn't bring himself to get the other's involved. He knew it was his fault, he had been the one who agreed to this mission. It was his damn fault, that he didn't left the bridge with the others.
' Stand back, get ready to leave ' his voice were the voice of a leader. Filled with authority and power that made even Voldemort raise his un-existing eyebrow.
' Your biggest weakness Mr. Potter, you are too brave for both the good of yourself and your friends ' There went a pain filled scream through the night as a small tile of smoke raised from Ginny's throat. She had an angry red burn mark were the wand had touched her.
He could hear, his friends voices behind him but couldn't bring himself to understand them. He couldn't be distracted when Ginny's life were in his hands.
' Harry ' Ginny mumbled, trying to withstand the pain from her throat. The dark lord glanced surprised the young witch, he could feel magic circle around her. Magic that's been unknown to him, for his whole life.
Harry met her eyes, they were staring into his with all the love they could muster. Her lip tugged up into a small smile as the next words were rolling of her soft lips.
' I love you ' it felt like his own heart were pierced with an arrow, she were ready to give up her life. Just to save him, something he couldn't accept and tightened his grip on the wand.
' Love you to, Gin ' then something happened that neither of the Death Eater's could have foreseen. Something made Ginny leap from the gasp of Voldemort and into his arms in the same moment his wand were pointed directly to the upper body of the dark lord.
Sectusempra he had barely thought the spell before it struck the dark lord. Making one of his greatest effort yet in non-vocal magic. Without hesitation, they turned around and dashed towards the end of the bridge. While Voldemort howled in pain. Flashes in several light colors flew past them as they returned, even Arthur had managed to get upon his feet to cover them.
' Avada Kedavra ' was the only thing he heard when Ginny suddenly wrestled herself out of his grip and before he had fully turned around everything flashed green.
His heart stopped in the same moment as he couldn't take another breath, the green light were blinding him.
After the light disappeared he heard the sound of someone falling to the ground, he couldn't feel anything. Not the rain, not the pain he achived from a smaller hex he missed to deflect. Not even the ear-paining scream that followed as he begun to regain his eye-sight.
' Ginny.....no....no ' Arthur voice crackled as he broke down into loudly sobs. He finally could make out the shape of the young witch laying on the ground. Her wonderful brown eyes still open, but without any trace of life in them. Her soul had already left the body, she had sacrificed herself to save him.
' Har-r-y ' the usually soft voice, belonging to Hermione had changed as she touched his shoulder. At her touch, something snapped inside his head, he raised his wand above his head.
' Take her back ' there were no show of kindness, just pure authority behind his cold voice. He stepped over the still warm body of his girlfriend. Not even glancing back as Hermione had to pull out all her strength to place her friend on her back.
Ginny, wasn't supposed to be here. She had just been stubborn enough to tag along. She was the first love, she owned his heart like no one else and were his most precious people. She wasn't supposed to sacrifice herself for him, he wasn't just worth it. He hated that, people he tended to love died around him. Especially when taking his place before the grim-reaper. Somewhere in his head, a small voice began to spoke to him.
Never again, will you allow the beloved to die instead of you. You will grow stronger, you will fight and keep fighting until your deed is done. You will fight for those who are alive, for those who have died. You will do what you have to do.
' Harry ' Remus yelled behind him, but he was deaf to everyone, marching forward against the dark hooded group. Who stood still, waiting with their wands pointed against him.
' Come back ' yelled Ron without any success. He stopped about ten feet from Voldemort and stared deep into the red eyes. Not even noticing the deep wounds on the upper body of his nemesis, if he had. He would have noticed the deep pain, he himself had inflicted upon the great Lord Voldemort. Something totally unheard of since he came back to power.
' Opps, did we do something wrong ' cackled one male Death Eater's on Voldemort's right side. He pointed his wand towards the hooded man, seeing the body stiffened being on the receivers end of the wand.
' I'm going to kill you ' muttered Harry darkly making most death Eater's take a small step backwards, not afraid by the threat. But by the dangerous sparkling emerald-green eyes that had the man pined down with just his gaze.
' Easy said, harder accomplish. ' no trace left of the mocking sound in the dark lord's voice, as the wounds were bleeding all over the pavement.
' The boy doesn't have what it takes ' muttered the wizard he pined down with his gaze, in a last try of regaining his braveness.
There was an alarming flicker in those emerald-green eyes, even making the dark lord take a single step backwards. Before something none of them thought possible happened.
' Avada Kedavra ' under less then a moment, he saw Ginny's smile after they shared their first kiss. All the small teasing that had been going on since Bill and Fleaur's wedding a few weeks back. Her happy cries when he saved her from the chamber of secrets. Everything of these memories were projected trough his wand as the green flash hit the unprepared Death Eater right in the face.
Everyone stared for the three seconds it took for the man to heavily crash into the pavement and noticing that life already left the man.
Voldemort looked around towards him. The face showing utter shock and maybe a twist of fear. It was something that he hadn't seen on that particular face, since they fought at the graveyard during the tri-wizard-turnament.
' Shite ' were the only word that escaped Voldemort's thin lips as he faced another green light from the wand.
Throwing himself out of the way, the next unforgivable course hit the Death Eater standing behind the dark lord. Making their body count double.
Behind him, his friends stood watching the whole thing. They couldn't believe it, not only that Ginny had been killed in action. But seeing Harry walk away towards certain death and fight five death Eater's and then the dark lord himself. That must have been both the bravest and dumbest thing he had ever done.
They all knew, he gave them a chance to get away, that's what Harry usually did.
But to use the most unforgivable spell, probably from pure wrath after seeing Ginny save his life. It was wrong and in the same time fascinating, you couldn't just train to learn those spells. You have to hate, in order to being even able to give a nosebleed of the opponent.
In front of their eyes, their loved and innocent friend had just took out two Death Eater's without hesitation. Probably even killed them, they watched in fear as the last three took aim on Harry while Voldemort crawled upon his feet.
Harry ducked from side to side, their own green flashes missing him by inches. But he didn't care if there was inches or even yards. The most important thing was that they missed. He had to get them, for what they did to his Ginny.
' Stop it your twat's, DON'T kill him! ' yelled Voldemort angrily making all three of them stepping back even further. Before they had to jump away as fresh killing courses were hitting the ground were they stood.
' Lord, you can't be serious. He just killed two of us ' said a female Death Eater. Just catching a glance of the angry red eyes of her master making here freeze to the ground.
' He is mine! ' Yelled the dark lord as the boy turned towards him with another killing course flying against the dark lord. The attack had appeared too fast for the lord to dive away from and did the only thing he could think of. With his wand at ready, he summoned the witch who just opposed him.
Letting the curse hit her straight in the chest with a sickening sound. There were to fast popping sounds when the two last Death Eater's apperated out of the place in the same moment. Leaving the Dark Lord by himself. Voldemort stared at the place were they just had been, his face were thorn up in a furious expression before giving the boy a chaste glance. He wasn't used to fighting alone and the boys obvious killing spree somehow scared him.
' Crucio ' screamed Voldemort angrily when the body of the witch sacked into the bridge. Hitting Harry straight in the chest. Throwing him several feet away, while beginning to spasm in pain. Screaming out loudly for the heaven and clouds. He tried to get closer to the boy as several courses and spells begun to rain over him. Looking up he found the two order members assisted by both Hermione and Ron trying to do everything in their power to save their fallen friend.
' You'll live for today, but let this pain be a remainder. That you'll lose everything, ' said Voldemort as he deflected a few spells close enough to hit him. To his surprise, the boy who still were screaming in agony. Fought against the curse and crawled upon his knee, trying to raise his wand.
As the green killing course went straight for Voldemort's chest. There were a popping sound leaving Harry the only person left upon the bridge. Not counting the three bodies of the now, lifeless Death Eater's. Harry sacked together as the pain disappeared with Voldermort, his breath were hard and burned his insides.
He stared onto his hands, they were shaking like the rest of his body. He had just killed three death-eaters in cold blood, but it didn't anything to ease his pain. His heart felt like it had been shredded into at least a thousand pieces.
He tried to fought it, but looking up and revealing the three bodies didn't help. Tears begun to fall from his eyes. He felt two slender arms circle around his neck from behind. There were nothing there to alarm him. Used since several years by the presence of Hermione hugging him. He could tell her out of a hundred witches if he would become blind.
' Let's go home ' her voice were tender and somewhat soft. It had been softer if she hadn't the need to hide her pain at the moment. Without any answer, Harry stood up slowly, letting himself to be helped up by her hand. He turned around without meeting her eyes. Instead looking to his feet where he found the two broken pieces of Ginny's wand. Picking them up carefully before pocketing them without a word. Tears now flowing down his cheeks as Hermione held his hand firmly and guided him towards the others.
No one said anything as Hermione stopped. They were all sobbing and tried to find any trace of Harry's feeling at the moment. Harry saw them in the corner of his eyes, but paid them no interest as Ginny lay at his feet. Her beautiful hair now filled with dirt.
' Arthur ' he said in a scorch voice as he kneed down putting his hand to the forehead of his girlfriend. Carefully stroking a few strands of hair out of her lifeless eyes.
' Harry? ' where the only answer Arthur could manage to get trough. He fought a mental brake down as hard as he could, already missing the happy attitude of his only daughter.
' You're okay? ' asked Harry, feeling the temperature leaving Ginnys body.
' Somewhat ' where the only confirmation he got out of the oldest Weasley. Slowly his hand covered her eyes and closed her eye-lids, seeing her eyes for the last time. Then picking her up, Bridal-style into his arms while still clutching his own wand hard.
' Let's get you home, my love ' he said with more affectionately then he ever had spoken to her. He could hear the others sobbing loudly at his chosen words. But didn't wait for any of them to get a chance of answering. They all looked up with puffy-red eyes when they heard a faint popping sound and both Harry and Ginny were gone.
Harry apperated into the field outside the magic-wards protecting the burrow. He stood there staring at the house, hoping that Molly would already gone to bed with the others. But he dreaded to enter through the wards, when he could see several people moving around in the kitchen. He took silent steps through the field while keeping his gaze locked into her face, she could have been sleeping. Just wishing to be carried home, while snuggling into his chest. But that's wasn't real, just his deepest wishes of his heart.
He stood outside the ward, just staring inside. Not daring to enter and give away the signal they were back. Louder popping sounds told him that the others caught up with him, standing on both sides of him. They would wait the whole night, if they had to. They owned no less to Harry.
' Do you want me to.. ' Ron began asking before loud smack were echoing through the night. Hermione slapping her ever so untactful boyfriend in the face.
' Thanks mate ' Harry answered, his tone so hushed that they nearly didn't cached it at all.
' But I have to do this, I promised to bring everyone back ' his word pained everyone present, making them remember his promise to Molly. Without any other hesitation, he stepped forward into the ward and wandered in a steady pace towards the door. The others limping behind him, trying to keep up. He were just a few feet away when the door nearly flung of the hinges revealing the plump figure of Molly. Behind her were the scared face of the oldest Weasley brother Bill and his half-part-veela wife, Fleaur.
' Ohh god lord.. ' she began while they moved towards her in darkness. Before seeing only five walking figures. Her gaze quickly wandered to Harry's arms as the first light could come upon Ginny's features from the door.
' Ginny! ' Molly screamed in panic, rushing down towards Harry who couldn't help it. His legs gave away and fell to his knees, still clutching Ginny tightly into his chest. There weren't only tears, he couldn't hold it back any more when Molly Weasley throw herself down beside him. He cried openly when the older woman begun trying pry Ginny out of his arms.
' I'm so sorry ' where the only thing he could say. Molly stiffened at his words, her eyes filled with dread as she realized. Realized that her daughter had left them behind.
' At least, I got you back home, my love ' he whispered before bowing down low enough to kiss her forehead as Molly broke down beside him.